NCR In Conversation

In Conversation is an in-depth look at the week's Catholic news as seen by the staff at National Catholic Reporter. Hosted by NCR engagement editor Brittany Wilmes, In Conversation features the top thinkers and journalists who report on the life of the Catholic church in the world. National Catholic Reporter is an independent newspaper based in Kansas City, Missouri. Read more at www.ncronline.org.

Sr. Joan Chittister, recently joined NCR staff and friends to ask Tom Roberts to reflect on his decades in Catholic journalism. Tom served over the years as editor, managing editor and editor-at-large. He retired at the end of 2017.

Dan Morris-Young, a reporter for our Field Hospital beat, covers Catholic life across the country, reporting on the ministries, issues and people that make American parishes tick. He recently visited and profiled Dolores Mission, a tiny Jesuit parish in East Los Angeles known for its big heart and vibrant ministries.

NCR Bertelsen intern Maria Benevento reports on the modern developments of the Catholic Worker movement.Jim Forest, author of "At Play in the Lions’ Den: A Biography and Memoir of Dan Berrigan," talks about Berrigan's legacy as a writer and activist.

In a newly released book, former presidents of the Leadership Congregation of Women Religious, members of the organization's executive staff and members of a lay support group share their experiences and insights from the doctrinal assessment of LCWR by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Annmarie Sanders, a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and communications director for LCWR, and Betty Thompson, a founding member of Solidarity with Sisters, talk about the process of writing the book and reliving this critical moment in the organization's history.

With spring comes baseball—and this year, two brand-new columns on NCRonline.org. The Gospel of Sports, by Mike Jordan Laskey, will publish every six weeks and looks at the intersection of faith and sports. Theology en la Plaza will focus on matters impacting church and society with columns by four public theologians writing from distinctly Latin@ perspectives.

In this episode, Mike and columnist Carmen Nanko-Fernández talk about how they and others look at the intersection between baseball and faith.

On Monday April 9, the Vatican announced the release of a new papal document titled Gaudete et Exsultate, or “Rejoice and Be Glad!” NCR's Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee and Marymount University theologian Brian Flanagan discuss the document on the call to holiness in today's world.

NCR columnist Melissa Musick Nussbaum and her daughter Anna Keating are the co-authors of The Catholic Catalogue: A Field Guide to the Daily Acts That Make Up a Catholic Life. Published by Image in 2016, the book breathes fresh life into the Catholic calendar. Melissa and Anna share their traditions of keeping the Triduum and the Easter season and talk about how these practices have strengthened their families and their faith lives.

One national ministry has had massive success reaching out to college-age Catholics: the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, or FOCUS.Today on the show, Heidi Schlumpf and Kevin Ahern, assistant professor of religious studies at Manhattan College and the editor of the forthcoming “God’s Quad: Small faith communities on campus and beyond,” discuss FOCUS and its influence on American Catholic students.

NCR contributor Kelly Stewart and Episcopal priest Kira Schlesinger discuss Kira's book “Pro-Choice and Christian: Reconciling Faith, Politics and Justice.” Later in the show, we share excerpts of stories told by Catholic sisters during Standup Sisters, an annual event held during National Catholic Sisters Week.

On Tuesday, hundreds gathered on Capitol Hill for a Catholic Day of Action for Dreamers where they spoke, prayed, and sang. NCR contributor Julie Bourbon talks about the event in Washington, D.C. and how it might create momentum for immigration reform.

Later, film critic Sr. Rose Pacatte shares her favorite films of the year and her predictions and hopes for the Academy Awards.

NCR books editor Jamie Manson talks about three upcoming books from prominent theologians: "The Unmoored God," by Paul Crowley, SJ; "Creation and the Cross" by Elizabeth Johnson and "Resurrecting Easter" by John Dominic Crossan.

Nancy Sylvester, founder and director of the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue, talks today about contemplative reflection. She talks about why this practice is more important now than ever, and she’ll teach the setup for starting your own contemplative practice.

Chris Herlinger traveled to Haiti last year, where he met Sisters of St. John the Evangelist who run a shelter for children in danger of being trafficked. Chris also shares some updates from the United Nations, where Catholic sisters advocate for anti-trafficking laws and regulations.

Franciscan Sr. Sarah Kohles and St. Joseph Sr. Susan Francois are two of the 13 contributors to a new book written for young women contemplating vowed religious life. The book, In Our Own Words, was published Jan. 25 by Liturgical Press.

Today on the show, Dr. Tim Uhl, the superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools and host of the podcast Catholic School Matters. We talk about how he started his podcast and what about Catholic education challenges and inspires Tim.

NCR contributor Julie Bourbon reports on a study of "nones" — that is, n-o-n-e-s, or young adults who don’t identify with any organized religion.Later, NCR Bertelsen intern Maria Benevento and Suzanne Gladney, founder of the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund provide an update on immigration issues, including chain migration and the latest on the DACA debate and those living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status.

NCR staff writer Brian Roewe has been reporting on an excommunication case in Nebraska with a lot of history behind it. Last year, members of the Lincoln chapter of Call to Action met with Bishop James Conley in a series of dialogue sessions. These sessions have led to an agreement of sorts to have the 1996 censure lifted for individual members.

NCR’s Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee talks about Pope Francis' upcoming trip to Chile and Peru. The papal trip takes place January 15-21, 2018. Joshua also recaps the pope’s recent State of the World address to diplomats. Later, sociologist Michele Dillon explains the trends in a new survey of American Catholics and talks about how the data show a refreshed enthusiasm among American Catholic women.

Today, Sr. Linda Romey talks about how “bad theology” perpetuates gender inequality and the role that women religious play in this #MeToo moment. Later, NCR columnist Jamie Manson and film critic Sr. Rose Pacatte talk about the dangers of unchecked power in any system and what they envision happening next in Hollywood and the Catholic Church.

In this episode, NCR columnist and blogger Tom Carney argues that the mystery of Christmas is drowned out by the commercial holiday. Tom talks about how to recapture the spiritual foundation of Christmas and how he celebrates the coming of Christ. Later, Soul Seeing editor Mike Leach talks about how the holiday has evolved for him with different seasons of life. He’ll also share recommendations for listeners looking for some extra Christmas hope this year.

Global Sisters Report staff writer Dawn Araujo-Hawkins talks about how congregations of women religious are working to make amends for historically buying into a culture of racism. Later, NCR Bertelsen interns Maria Benevento and James Dearie provide updates on faith-based efforts to stem the tide of gun violence through initiatives like the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath and a guide to non-violent holiday gifts for children.

Global Sisters Report international correspondent Chris Herlinger talks about reporting in difficult locations like South Sudan and how sisters and priests deal with trauma as they’re ministering to people also processing traumatic experiences. Later, Young Voices columnist Mike Jordan Laskey talks about this year’s short Advent calendar and how to make the most of this overlooked season of waiting and preparation.

In this episode, NCR editor Dennis Coday stops by the studio to talk about recent news, including the pope's visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, the extradition of a Salvadoran former colonel, and tax reform and sexual assault news in the U.S.